Toy Aircraft

ABSTRACT

A toy glider aircraft is assembled using a recycled beverage container. Portions of a box containing a plurality of the beverage containers can include airplane parts such as wings and a vertical stabilizer. Other parts for the toy glider can be fit to the glider using the beverage container neck threads. The bottle can be formed to resemble an aircraft fuselage.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 60/467,916 filed May 5, 2003, and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 10/839,441 filed May 5, 2004.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to toys and in particular to toy aircraft.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known to provide toy airplanes or toy gliders that comprise a lightweight balsa wood frame and polymer, lightweight wings. Such toy gliders are typically propelled into flight by a thrust from movement of a person's arm. It is also known to provide such gliders with a rubber band driven propeller for driving the gliders through the air.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a glider or toy aircraft that utilizes as a fuselage a recycled beverage container. Particularly, a plastic beverage container, such as a soft drink plastic bottle, is used. Cardboard, balsa wood, polymer, or other material wings and a vertical stabilizer are attached to the beverage container to configure the beverage container like an aircraft. The beverage container, having a thin wall and being lightweight has surprising aerodynamic capabilities when wings and vertical stabilizer are added.

As a further refinement of the invention, the plastic container can carry a rubber band driven propeller assembly, or other type motive drive, which can be quickly mounted to the container using the threaded neck of the container. As an alternate to a rubber band drive, a fluid motor drive or a battery motor drive can be fit into the container using the threaded neck of the container.

As a further refinement of the aircraft, a nose cone can be screwed onto the threaded neck of the container to further simulate an airplane and to increase the aerodynamic capabilities of the aircraft.

As a further refinement of the invention, a whistle device can be formed into the nose cone. The whistle device is configured such that travel of the aircraft through the air causes flow of air through the whistling device to cause a whistling sound.

As a further refinement, the container can be pre-formed to simulate the coloring or contour of a real life aircraft. The container, for example, can have a preformed cockpit dome or windows or can have the overall tapered shape of an aircraft.

As a further refinement, the container can be packaged for sale in a box or package that includes integrated aircraft components for attachment to one or more of the beverage containers. The airplane components can be, for example, punch-out portions of the box panels.

Alternately, the bottle could be a completely assembled, aerodynamically shaped glider that first functions as a beverage container and when empty functions as a toy glider.

Numerous other advantages and features of the present invention will be become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention and the embodiments thereof, from the claims and from the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a toy aircraft according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a right-side view of the aircraft of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary alternate right side view of the aircraft of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an elevational view of an alternate embodiment nose cone section of the aircraft of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4A is a sectional view taken generally along line 4A-4A of FIG. 4;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of an alternate aircraft of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of an aircraft of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a packaging arrangement of beverage containers, the packaging including airplane components

FIG. 8 is an elevational view of an alternate embodiment aircraft of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a right side view of the alternate embodiment aircraft of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is an elevational view of another alternate embodiment aircraft of the invention;

FIG. 11 is a right side view of the alternate embodiment aircraft of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a plan view of the alternate embodiment aircraft of FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is an elevational view of an alternate embodiment aircraft of the invention;

FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken generally along line 14-14 of FIG. 13; and

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary sectional view taken generally along lines 15-15 of FIGS. 13 and 14.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings, and will be described herein in detail, specific embodiments thereof with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated.

A toy aircraft, such as an airplane 30, of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The airplane 30 comprises a plastic beverage container 34 and add-on components. The add-on components include wings 38, 40 (40 shown in FIG. 2), an engine section 44, a vertical stabilizer 48, a cockpit section 52, and a nose cone 56. The cockpit section 52 and the engine section 44 are substantially decorative, particularly arranged to simulate actual aircraft components.

The beverage container 34 is advantageously a soft drink plastic bottle having a cylindrical section 58, and an elongated tapered transition section 60 and a neck 61.

According to a preferred embodiment, the preferred dimensions of the cylindrical section 58 are about 4 inches long and 2.75 inches in diameter. The preferred dimensions of the tapered section are 3.25 inches long and 2.75 inches in large diameter and 1 inch in small diameter. The plastic bottle can be a lightweight, thin walled commercially available bottle, such as that sold to package SUNKIST® soft drinks. This particular bottle has a volume of about 20 fl. oz. (592 ml), and weighs about 1.1 ounces empty without its cap. Other commercially available bottles could also work.

The wings and vertical stabilizer of the first embodiment each have substantially the same shape, and have a dimension “a” of about 3.75 inches and a dimension “b” about 4.75 inches. The wings and vertical stabilizer are approximate right triangles with a curved hypotenuse.

The wings and vertical stabilizer can be composed of plastic, cardboard, wood, foam material, or any other material that is relatively strong and lightweight to be useful on a glider.

The add-on components are preferably shaped and sized to add to the aerodynamics of the airplane. The above dimensions for the wings and vertical stabilizer are for the first prototype and should not be considered to be optimized dimensions. Further testing may ascertain better dimensions.

The components can also be shaped and sized such that the airplane resembles any known, popular or historic aircraft. Thus, the components can be shaped for example, to resemble World War II airplanes, or the U.S. space shuttle, comic book hero aircraft, a U.S. stealth fighter jet, etc.

The nose cone 56 is shape to provide an aerodynamic profile. It preferably has inside threads that allow the nose cone to be screwed onto the neck 61 of the bottle 34. The cockpit 52 can include a clear plastic dome(s) mounted on a support plate that is mounted to the container.

The wings and vertical stabilizer can be mounted in a variety of ways. According to FIG. 1, the wings and vertical stabilizer are connected by folded adhesive tape elements 76, 78 adhered on opposite faces of the wings and vertical stabilizer, extending over the edges adjacent to the bottle 34. The tape elements 76, 78 can be applied to the wings and vertical stabilizer and cover paper can be removed from the adhesive tape elements to expose the adhesive to be pressed to the container. Alternately, the elements 76, 78 could be plastic pieces that are adhesively secured to the wings and vertical stabilizer and then adhesively secured to the container.

According to FIG. 3, the wings and vertical stabilizer are mounted by being tightly fit between parallel ribs 82, 84 formed on an outside of the container, that form a groove 85 therebetween. Adhesive can be applied between the ribs 82, 84 to secure the component to the bottle, or the groove 85 can be sized for the component to be a snap fit therein.

Alternately, the wings and/or the vertical stabilizer could be pre-fastened to a sleeve that fits over the bottle 34 and is held in place by friction or adhesive.

Alternately, the wings and/or vertical stabilizer could be pre-attached at base ends to the bottle 34 and rolled tightly around the perimeter of the bottle and secured for shipping and sale wherein the customer can thereafter deploy the wings and/or vertical stabilizer by un-securing the wings or vertical stabilizer and unrolling same from the bottle. The rolled wings preferably have a material memory that allows them to be rolled out substantially straight or otherwise at an aerodynamic profile. The wings and/or vertical stabilizer can be secured with one or more rubber bands or one or more pieces of tape.

The wings and/or the stabilizer can be secured using slot-shaped depressions into the cylindrical section 58 as described in FIGS. 13-15.

FIG. 4 illustrates an alternate nose cone 102 having a nose cone portion 106 having internal threads 108 screwed onto a container 34 (shown in phantom). A cockpit section 110 is unitary with the nose cone portion 106. The cockpit section 110 includes a clear dome 114 and a frustoconical skirt portion 112 which is sized to be slightly elevated from a top surface 113 of the container, forming a gap 115 on an end thereof. A whistle hole 16 through the skirt portion 112 is in communication with a space 118 between the skirt portion 112 and the top surface 113. During travel through the air, air passes through the whistle hole 16, through the space 118 and out of the gap 115 causing a whistling sound. The skirt portion can be contoured and/or elements, such as a reed element, can be added to the whistle hole 116 or space 118 to enhance or amplify the whistle sound.

Other known configurations for applying a toy projectile air whistle are encompassed by the invention.

The nose cones described herein can be composed of plastic, rubber, foam material, or other material.

FIG. 5 illustrates a further refinement of the invention wherein motive components can be quickly added to the aircraft described herein. A motive component 150 is connected to a threaded closure 154 which is threaded to the container 34. The motive component can fit inside the container, substantially out of sight. A propeller 152 is driven by a member 154 which penetrates the closure and is engaged to the motive component 150.

FIG. 6 illustrates the motive component 150 being a rubber band assembly. A rubber band 160 is connected to the member 154, extends to the end of a rigid support such as a cylinder 162, wherein it is connected at an end 166 of the support. Winding of the propeller repetitively twists the rubber band 160. Releasing the propeller allows the rubber band to spin the propeller to cause movement of the airplane in flight.

Alternately, the component 150 could be a motor and battery assembly or a fluid motor such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,006,517 or 4,329,806 herein incorporated by reference.

FIG. 7 illustrates a packaging arrangement wherein beverage containers 34 are packaged in a box 200 having cut out or punch out portions of the box serve as add-on components to complete the toy aircraft such as the wings 38, 40 and vertical stabilizer 48. A cone section 204 can be provided to be rolled into a cone and secured over the neck, in lieu of a screwed-on cone section. Alternately, parts to assemble the toy aircraft can be packaged separately within the box, or the box can provide punch out patterns from which component parts can be made from other raw materials.

FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate another embodiment wherein the container 34′ itself is pre-contoured during manufacture thereof to resemble part of an aircraft, such as the fuselage a vintage or modern jet fighter, or other aircraft such as the space shuttle. In this regard the cock pit 52′ and the vertical stabilizer 48′ could be formed as part of the hollow container and hold beverage. The nose cone 106′ could be the actual beverage containing cap screwed onto the bottle neck 61′. Alternatively, the vertical stabilizer 48′ and/or the cockpit 52′ could be a separate panel or element attached as described herein for previous embodiments.

As also shown in FIGS. 8-12, the bottle 34′ can have an aerodynamic shaping wherein the diameter D2 at a rear of the bottle is less than a diameter D1 in a central region.

FIGS. 10-12 illustrate a variation to the embodiment described above, in that horizontal stabilizers 302, 304 are attached to a rear portion of the bottle using ribs 82, 84 as described above. Alternately, the horizontal stabilizers 302, 304 could be attached in alternate fashion or formed with the bottle, as described herein. The horizontal stabilizers 302, 304 can also be provided packaged with, or as part of the box as shown in FIG. 7.

The wings and/or the stabilizer and/or horizontal stabilizers can be secured using slot-shaped depressions into the cylindrical section 58 as described in FIGS. 13-15.

As a further advantage, demonstrated in FIG. 12, advertising or other message labels 310 can be applied to the aircraft parts, such as to the wings 38, 40 and/or the stabilizers 302, 304, 48.

Alternatively to the above described embodiments, the bottle 34′ could be a completely assembled, aerodynamically shaped glider toy that first functions as a beverage container and when empty functions as a toy glider.

As further refinements of the invention, the bottles described above could be surface treated to allow the consumer to apply stickers or to paint the bottle to resemble real aircraft. As a further refinement of the invention, the bottles within a package, or within different packages, could be different collectible aircraft. As a further refinement of the invention, the aerodynamic components such as the nose cone, wings and/or vertical stabilizer could be sold at the beverage supply outlet on display next to the beverage display, or sold in hobby shops or retail stores.

A further construction detail is illustrated in FIGS. 13-15. According to this alternate embodiment, the beverage container 34″ has preformed slot-shaped depressions 38 a, 40 a, 48 a formed into the cylinder 58″ to receive the add-on components such as wings 38, 40 and/or a vertical stabilizer 48, and/or horizontal stabilizers (not shown). The slot-shaped depressions 38 a, 40 a, 48 a are indentations formed into the cylinder 58″ of the container 34″ such that the slot-shaped depressions do not breach the sealed integrity of the container, and its ability to hold liquid, and such that there are no protrusions outside of the normal circular circumference of the container 34′ until the add-on components are installed. This allows the containers 34″ to be packaged in a conventional closely arranged fashion such as in a package shown in FIG. 7. Therefore, ribs or other outward protrusions are not present to make packaging more difficult.

The slot-shaped depressions can be formed during molding of the container 34″ by plate-shaped molding protrusions that protrude into the mold cavity which molds the container 34″. After the molded container 34 solidifies or cools, the plate-shaped protrusions can be retracted from the mold cavity to allow the molded plastic container to be removed.

Although the entire width of the add-on components 38, 40, 48 are shown received within the slot-shaped depressions, it is also possible that the add-on components can have one or more tabs having a lesser width than the respective component, which tabs are tightly fit into smaller slot-shaped depressions formed into the cylinder 58″. Alternately, the slot-shaped depressions can be cylindrically-shaped to receive plug-shaped dowels protruding from the add-on component.

The slot-shaped (or other shape) depressions can be used to replace the tape or ribs shown in FIGS. 1-3 and 7-12, which connect the add-on components such as the wings, vertical stabilizer, or horizontal stabilizers.

The slot-shaped (or other shape) depressions are sized to tightly receive the add-on components in a resilient or gripping fashion. In this regard, the slot-shaped (or other shape) depressions can be slightly stretched to grip the add-on components and/or the add-on components can be slightly squeezed by the slot-shaped (or other shape) depressions. Alternatively, a snap-fit or latching arrangement between the add-on components and the slot-shaped (or other shape) depressions can be provided or adhesive can be applied within the slot-shaped (or other shape) depressions to fix the add-on components therein.

One advantage of all of the embodiments described herein for attaching add-on components is the fact that the add-on components can be attached without having to cut into the container cylinder with a sharp knife or scissors. Furthermore, since the container cylinder is not breached by the addition of the add-on components, it is conceivable that the container can still be used as a beverage container after the add-on components have been attached.

From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific apparatus illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred. It is, of course, intended to cover by the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims. 

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 9. A toy kit comprising: a package comprising at least one planar side wall; a plurality of beverage containers contained by said package for retail sale of said plurality of beverage containers, said package having a bottom for supporting said beverage containers; and said at least one planar side wall having designated thereon two wings configured for removal from said planar sidewall and subsequent attachment to one of said beverage containers; and wherein said one beverage container contained by said package includes a surrounding sidewall with an outside surface and said surrounding sidewall having pre-formed depressions for attaching said two wings to said outside surface of said surrounding sidewall after removal from said planar side wall, said pre-formed means formed in unitary fashion with said surrounding sidewall.
 10. The toy kit according to claim 9, wherein said at least one planar side wall comprises at least two parallel side walls, and each side wall has designated thereon one wing for attachment to said one beverage container.
 11. The toy kit according to claim 9 wherein said package contains at least four beverage containers.
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 15. A compact, easily assembled toy gliding aircraft, comprising: a plastic bottle having a surrounding sidewall with an outside surface and a neck terminating in a central opening, and a bottom; a cap closing said neck, said bottle aerodynamically shaped to first function as a beverage container and when empty function as a toy glider, said bottle provided with first means for mounting detachable wings to said outside surface of said sidewall, said first means formed in unitary fashion with said sidewall; detachable wings sized and shaped to be held by said means for mounting to said bottle; wherein said plastic bottle comprises a longitudinal axis extending from said bottom through said opening, and when said axis is horizontal during flight, said wings extend from said plastic bottle in a symmetrical, mirror image fashion across a longitudinal vertical center plane through said axis; a detachable vertical stabilizer attached to said outside surface of the surrounding sidewall of the plastic bottle and extending outward therefrom, and when said axis is horizontal during flight, said vertical stabilizer being in said vertical center plane, extending upwardly, and located equidistantly between said wings; and second means for mounting the detachable vertical stabilizer to said outside surface of said surrounding sidewall of said bottle, said second means formed in unitary fashion with said sidewall.
 16. The toy aircraft according to claim 15, comprising detachable horizontal stabilizers, and means for mounting the detachable horizontal stabilizers to said bottle.
 17. The toy kit according to claim 9, wherein said plurality of beverage containers comprises a plurality of plastic bottles each containing a supply of beverage; and said at least one side wall having designated thereon a vertical stabilizer for removal and attachment to one of said plastic bottles.
 18. The toy kit according to claim 17, wherein said at least one side wall has designated thereon two horizontal stabilizers for removal and attachment to said one of said plastic bottles.
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 21. A compact, easily assembled toy gliding aircraft, comprising: a plastic beverage container having a substantially cylindrical sidewall with an outside surface wherein said container comprises a tapered neck terminating in a central opening, and a bottom, wherein said cylindrical sidewall includes a plurality of depressions formed into the sidewall for mounting wings; and a pair of wings attached to said outside surface of said substantially cylindrical sidewall of the beverage by at least partially fitting into the depressions.
 22. The toy aircraft according to claim 21, comprising a vertical stabilizer attached to said outside surface of the substantially cylindrical sidewall of the container by fitting into one of said depressions and extending outward therefrom.
 23. The toy aircraft according to claim 22, comprising two horizontal stabilizers attached to said cylindrical sidewall by at least partially fitting into two of said depressions.
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 25. The toy aircraft according to claim 21, wherein said plurality of depressions comprises a longitudinally arranged slot on each side of said sidewall, each slot for receiving one wing.
 26. The toy aircraft according to claim 25 wherein said slot is sized to resiliently grip said one wing when said wing is inserted therein.
 27. The toy gliding aircraft according to claim 21, further comprising a nose cone section having a tapered profile, attached to said neck to close said container.
 28. The toy gliding aircraft according to claim 21, comprising a closure for threaded mounting to said neck, a propeller and a self-contained motive drive carried by said closure, and said propeller mounted rotatably to said closure, said motive drive connected to said container by being screwed onto said neck by threads formed on an inside of said closure and threads formed on an outside of said neck.
 29. The toy aircraft according to claim 28, wherein said motive drive comprises a support extending from said closure inside said container and a rubber band connected to said propeller and to an end of said support.
 30. The toy aircraft according to claim 21, further comprising a whistle component attached to said container, said whistle component making a sound when said container glides through the air. 